JP2020046831A - Sales quantity counting device for non-power supply automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sales quantity counting device for an automatic vending machine operated without a power supply that counts the sales quantity of commodities and transmits the count data to a totalizing computer.SOLUTION: The sales quantity counting device for counting the sales quantity of commodities for an automatic vending machine operated without a power supply includes coin detection means for detecting that a coin for purchasing a commodity is inputted to the automatic vending machine, sales commodity detection means for detecting that a commodity is discharged, a counting processing unit for performing counting processing based on a signal from the sales commodity detection means, communication means for transmitting transmission data including at least count data calculated by the counting processing unit, and power supply means for supplying operation power of the sales commodity detection means, the counting processing unit, and the communication means. The counting processing unit is constituted such that the power supply means feeds operation power from the power supply means to the sales commodity detection means and the communication means only when the coin detection means detects a coin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine for selling products such as capsule toys, trading cards, and super balls, and more specifically, for counting the number of products sold in a vending machine operated with no power supply. The present invention relates to a sales quantity counting device.

  Conventionally, vending machines that sell products such as capsule toys, trading cards, and super balls have been known. Such vending machines are popular because they can be operated without a power supply, are robust and inexpensive, and are installed in large quantities in various places.

  As a problem in the operation of a vending machine, there is a demand for cost reduction in operations such as replenishment and ordering of products. For this reason, for example, in vending machines for beverages and the like, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc., a management system for grasping the number of sales and the number of replenishments using wireless communication is becoming widespread. .

JP 2009-37447 A JP 2011-81845 A

  However, as described above, many vending machines such as capsule toys are operated without a power source, and it has been difficult to use a management system as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and provides a sales quantity counting device that counts the number of products sold in a vending machine operated with no power supply and transmits the counted data to a terminal for counting. Aim.

The present invention has been invented in order to solve the problems in the prior art as described above.
A vending machine operated with no power supply, a sales counting device for counting the number of products sold,
Coin detecting means for detecting that a coin for purchasing the product has been inserted into the vending machine,
Sales product detection means for detecting the discharge of the product,
A counting unit that performs a counting process based on a signal from the sales product detection unit,
Communication means for transmitting transmission data including at least the count data calculated in the counting processing unit,
A power supply unit that supplies operating power of the sales product detection unit, the counting unit, and the communication unit;
With
The counting processor,
The power supply means is configured to supply operating power from the power supply means to the sales product detection means and the communication means only when the coin detection means detects the coin.

In such a sales piece counting device,
The counting processor,
A sleep mode in which only power supply is performed from the power supply means to wait for reception of an activation signal transmitted from the coin detection means,
An on mode in which the selling product detection unit and the communication unit are operated, and power is supplied for performing the counting process,
Is configured to be able to switch at least,
The counting unit may be configured to be in the ON mode only while the counting unit is receiving at least the activation signal from the coin detecting unit.

In such a sales piece counting device,
It is preferable that the product is any of a capsule toy, a trading card, and a super bowl.

  According to the present invention, since the counting sensor and the data communication means can be operated by a battery, it can be introduced to a vending machine operated without a power source, and the apparatus itself can be downsized. It can be introduced into existing vending machines.

  Furthermore, since it has a power saving function that operates the counting sensor and data communication means only when the product is sold, even a small battery such as a commercially available dry battery can be replaced. Long-term operation is possible at least.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a sales quantity counting device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the operation of the sales number counting device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a configuration of a vending machine in which the sales number counting device of FIG. 1 is installed.

Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an embodiment of the sales number counting device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation flow of the sales number counting device of FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a configuration of a vending machine in which the sales number counting device of FIG. 1 is installed.

The sales number counting device 10 of the present embodiment is installed inside a vending machine 50 that sells capsule toys as products.
The vending machine 50 is a conventionally known non-powered vending machine, and as shown in FIG. 3, a coin insertion part 52 for inserting money for purchasing a product, and a capsule in which a capsule toy as a product is enclosed. A capsule storage unit 54 in which the capsules 60 are stored, a dial unit 56 operated by a purchaser when purchasing a product, and a capsule discharging unit in which the capsules 60 are discharged from the capsule storage unit 54 by operating the dial unit 56. 58.

  The number-of-sales counting device 10 includes a coin detecting unit 12 that detects that a coin (coin) has been inserted into the coin insertion unit 52, and a device that discharges a capsule 60 as a product from the capsule storage unit 54 to the capsule discharge unit 58. Capsule detecting means 14 which is a sales product detecting means provided on the route, counting processing section 16 which performs a counting process based on a signal from capsule detecting means 14, count data calculated by counting processing section 16 and the like. It comprises a communication means 18 for transmitting, and a power supply means 20 for supplying the operating power of the capsule detection means 14, the count processing unit 16, and the communication means 18.

  The coin insertion unit 52 is connected to a coin mech installed in the vending machine 50. The coin mech can determine the type of coin inserted in the coin insertion unit 52, and can store coins in the vending machine 50. It has a function to pour coins into the section. In this specification, "coins" include not only coins as currency but also medals used as tokens.

  The coin detection means 12 is provided on a path from the coin mech or the coin insertion part 52 to the coin mech, and is used to activate the counting processing part 16 when a coin is inserted from the coin insertion part 52. Is configured to be transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when coin insertion is detected by the coin detection unit 12, the coin detection unit 12 turns on the start switch 13. As a result, a start signal is transmitted to the count processing unit 16, and the count processing unit 16 is started.

  The switching of the activation switch 13 may be performed based on an electric signal from the coin detecting means 12, but may be performed mechanically for a simpler structure. Specifically, when the coin detecting means 12 detects the insertion of a coin, the coin detecting means 12 can hold the coin and turn on the activation switch 13 by the weight of the coin. In this case, when the coins are returned or the commodity is purchased, the coins are ejected from the coin detecting means 12 so that the weight holding down the start switch 13 is lost, and the start switch 13 is turned off. Becomes

  As described above, the capsule detecting means 14 is provided on a path for discharging the capsule 60 from the capsule storage section 54 to the capsule discharging section 58, and the capsule detecting means 14 allows the capsule 60 to pass along this path. It is configured to transmit a signal to the count processing unit 16 when detecting that the operation has been performed.

  Further, the capsule detecting means 14 is configured to operate when power is supplied from the counting processing section 16. That is, when the counting unit 16 is activated as described above, the capsule detection unit 14 is also activated at the same time.

  In the present embodiment, the capsule detecting means 14 has, for example, a light projecting unit 14a formed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and a light receiving unit 14b formed of a photodiode or the like. As described above, by employing a non-contact sensor as the capsule detecting means 14, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of troubles such as the clogging of the capsule 60.

  During operation of the capsule detecting means 14, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 14a is constantly received by the light receiving unit 14b, and the light receiving unit 14b receives a signal based on the amount of the received light (hereinafter, also referred to as a "light receiving signal"). Is transmitted to the counting unit 16.

  The counting unit 16 monitors the fluctuation of the level of the received light signal, and when the fluctuation of the level of the received light signal becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value, the capsule 60 is discharged from the capsule storage unit 54 to the capsule discharge unit 58. It is configured to determine. That is, since the light emitted from the light projecting unit 14a is blocked by the capsule 60, the light amount of the light received by the light receiving unit 14b is reduced, so that the discharge of the capsule 60 can be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the light projecting unit 14a and the light receiving unit 14b are provided so as to face each other, and when the light is blocked by the capsule 60, the ejection of the capsule 60 is detected. The light irradiated from 14a may be reflected on the capsule 60 at the time of discharge, and the reflected light may be received by the light receiving unit 14b.

  In such a configuration, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 14a is reflected by the capsule 60, and the light receiving unit 14b receives the light. Therefore, when the capsule 60 is ejected, the light receiving unit 14b Increases the amount of light received.

  In the present embodiment, the counting unit 16 stores a capsule counter, which is count data, in its storage unit. When the ejection of the capsule 60 is detected as described above, the counting unit 16 increases the capsule counter.

  Note that a nonvolatile memory or a volatile memory may be used as the storage unit of the counting unit 16. If a non-volatile memory is used, the capsule counter is held without power supply. Further, even if a volatile memory is used, for example, an SRAM (static random access memory) that supplies a very small amount of standby power and retains data can reduce power consumption. .

  The communication unit 18 is used to transmit transmission data including count data and the like stored in the count processing unit 16. The communication means 18 is not particularly limited as long as it can perform electric communication. The communication means 18 may be wired communication or wireless communication. Preferably, communication is used.

  The transmission data including the count data transmitted by the communication unit 18 is received by the administrator terminal 40 such as a personal computer, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal, and is displayed on the administrator terminal 40 or stored. be able to.

  Note that the counting section 16 as described above can be constituted by a microcontroller or the like, and the counting section 16 and the communication means 18 can be incorporated in one microcontroller.

  In the present embodiment, the capsule counter is transmitted as the count data. In this case, however, a switch for resetting the capsule counter may be provided in the count processing unit 16. Further, the count processing unit 16 may be configured to execute the reset of the capsule counter when the communication unit 18 receives the reset signal. When a volatile memory is used as the storage unit of the counting unit 16, the capsule counter is reset by turning off the power of the counting unit 16.

  In the present embodiment, only the capsule counter, which is the count data, is transmitted. For example, the storage unit stores a coin counter that counts the number of coin insertions. The coin counter may be increased each time the activation signal is received, and transmitted as transmission data including the coin counter together with the count data.

  In the case where a battery is used as the power supply means 20 described later, the voltage of the battery is measured every time the count processing unit 16 receives the activation signal, and transmitted as transmission data including the battery voltage together with the count data. Can also be configured.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sales number counting device 10 counts the sales number of the capsules 60, stores it as a capsule counter, and transmits the capsule counter to the administrator terminal 40 as count data. The device 10 may be configured to store the sales number of the capsules 60 only in the administrator terminal 40 without storing the sales number. That is, the capsule counter is configured to be stored in the administrator terminal 40. When the ejection of the capsule 60 is detected, the sales unit 10 transmits an arbitrary value as count data and receives the count data. The administrator terminal 40 may increase the capsule counter.

  The count processing unit 16 includes an off mode in which power is not supplied from the power supply unit 20, a sleep mode in which only power is supplied to wait for reception of an activation signal, a capsule detection unit 14 and a communication unit 18. It is preferable to be configured to be able to switch between an ON mode in which power is supplied for performing a counting process as described later in the counting processing section 16.

  In the case of such a configuration, the count processing unit 16 is set to the ON mode only while the count processing unit 16 is performing the counting process described below after receiving the activation signal, and otherwise the sleep mode is set. By doing so, power consumption can be reduced.

  In the case where a volatile memory is used as the storage unit of the count processing unit 16, power for holding information stored in the volatile memory is supplied even in the sleep mode. Is preferred.

  The power supply means 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply the operating power of the capsule detection means 14, the count processing section 16, and the communication means 18. It is preferable to supply power from a battery in consideration of the fact that the power supply is installed in the battery and that external wiring is not required. Note that the power supply means 20 preferably includes a DC-DC converter in order to supply a required operating voltage.

  The sales quantity counting device 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above is configured to perform a counting process by operating as follows. Hereinafter, an operation flow of the sales quantity counting device 10 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG.

As described above, when coin insertion is detected by the coin detection means 12, a start signal is transmitted to the count processing unit 16, and the count processing unit 16 is started (S10).
When the counting section 16 is activated, the energization of the capsule detecting section 14 is started via the counting section 16, and the capsule detecting section 14 irradiates light from the light projecting section 14 a and the light receiving section 14 b outputs light to the received light. The light receiving signal based on the received light is transmitted to the counting section 16 (S11).

In this state, the counting section 16 shifts to a capsule detection standby state to detect a change in the received light signal (S12).
If the activation switch 13 is turned off during the capsule detection standby state and the count processing unit 16 does not receive the activation signal, after a predetermined time, the energization to the capsule detection means 14 is terminated and Then, the counting unit 16 shifts to the sleep mode, and ends the capsule detection process (S13 → S19 → S20).

  On the other hand, when a change in the light receiving signal is detected during the capsule detection standby state, the capsule counter is increased (S14 → S15). In addition, the counting unit 16 measures the voltage of the power supply unit 20 (S16). Thereafter, the energization of the capsule detecting means 14 is terminated (S17).

  Then, the count processing unit 16 transmits the transmission data including the capsule counter and the voltage value, which are the count data, by using the communication unit 18 (S18). Thereafter, the counting unit 16 shifts to the sleep mode, and ends the capsule detection process (S20).

  By operating the sales quantity counting device 10 in this manner, the capsule detection means 14, the counting processing unit 16, and the communication means 18 are energized only when the capsule 60 is sold, and power consumption can be minimized. . For this reason, even if a battery is used as the power supply means 20, long-term operation can be performed without replacing the battery.

  For example, when two AA alkaline batteries are used as the power supply means 20 (total battery capacity is 1200 mAh), 1 μA in the sleep mode of the counting unit 16, 8 mA in the capsule detection standby state, and the communication unit. Assuming that 18 mA is consumed when transmitting the transmission data by 18 and that 100 capsules 60 are sold per day, theoretically, the operation is possible for about 5 years. Even if natural discharge, voltage drop at low temperature, liquid leakage due to overdischarge, etc. are taken into account, operation is possible for about three years.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a non-contact sensor using an LED as a capsule detecting unit, which is a sales product detecting unit, is used. Although it is used, various changes can be made without departing from the purpose of the present invention, for example, it can be appropriately changed according to the kind of the product, the structure of the vending machine, and the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 sales number counting device 12 coin detecting means 13 activation switch 14 capsule detecting means 14 a light emitting unit 14 b light receiving unit 16 counting processing unit 18 communication means 20 power supply means 40 administrator terminal 50 vending machine 52 coin insertion unit 54 capsule storage unit 56 Dial part 58 capsule discharge part 60 capsules

Claims (3)

A vending machine operated with no power supply, a sales counting device for counting the number of products sold,
Coin detecting means for detecting that a coin for purchasing the product has been inserted into the vending machine,
Sales product detection means for detecting the discharge of the product,
A counting unit that performs a counting process based on a signal from the sales product detection unit,
Communication means for transmitting transmission data including at least the count data calculated in the counting processing unit,
A power supply unit that supplies operating power of the sales product detection unit, the counting unit, and the communication unit;
With
The counting processor,
The power supply unit is configured to supply operating power from the power supply unit to the sales product detection unit and the communication unit only when the coin detection unit detects the coin. Counting device. The counting processor,
A sleep mode in which only power supply is performed from the power supply means to wait for reception of an activation signal transmitted from the coin detection means,
An on mode in which the selling product detection unit and the communication unit are operated, and power is supplied for performing the counting process,
Is configured to be able to switch at least,
2. The sales unit according to claim 1, wherein the counting unit is configured to be in the ON mode only while the counting unit receives at least the activation signal from the coin detecting unit. 3. apparatus.   The sales quantity counting device according to claim 1, wherein the product is any one of a capsule toy, a trading card, and a super bowl.

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